Categories: General
Date: May 18, 2009
Title: City Council swears in members

Four members of the Dalhart City Council and the Mayor were sworn in at
the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Receiving the Oath of Office
were incumbent Councilmen Jim Chandler, David Bierbaum, Phillip Hass
and newly-elected Councilwoman Lola Barrow. Mayor Kevin Caddell was
sworn in as well. Out-going Councilwoman Mary Belle Lopez was given a
marble clock in appreciation for her four years of service on the
Council.

Courtesy Photo Above: Tuesday members of the city council were sworn in. Left to right: Mayor Kevin Caddell, Lola Barrow, Jim Chandler, David Bierman and Phillip Hass.

By Warren Slaughter
Special to the Texan

Four members of the Dalhart City Council and the Mayor were sworn in at the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Receiving the Oath of Office were incumbent Councilmen Jim Chandler, David Bierbaum, Phillip Hass and newly-elected Councilwoman Lola Barrow. Mayor Kevin Caddell was sworn in as well. Out-going Councilwoman Mary Belle Lopez was given a marble clock in appreciation for her four years of service on the Council.

The swearing-in ceremony took place after the results of Saturday’s election were canvassed by the Canvassing Committee and the council had passed Ordinance 2009-15, which declared the results of the Canvassing Committee as correct.

After appointing Jim Chandler Mayor Pro Tem, the Council tackled the rest of the agenda.

They held a public hearing and second reading on Ordinance 2009-11 to rezone a parcel of land known as 605 Scott from Apartment Use to Special Use for the purpose of placing a double-wide manufactured home on the property. Following the hearing, the Council voted to approve Ordinance 2009-11.

Council members then held a hearing and second reading on Ordinance 2009-13 to change zoning from R-3 Residential to Commercial on the following: 48-51, 73, 74 and all of Lots 1-20, Blair Division, City of Dalhart. Councilman Phillip Hass, who also serves on the Planning and Zoning Commission, said the Commission approved the zoning change provided that land would be used forin the manner proposed by the owner. Any upgrades to the infrastructure on or around the property would have to be done at the owner’s or developer’s expense and not the city. The hearing was closed and the council passed the ordinance, with the stipulation specified in the hearing.

Warren Cat was the winning bidder on a track loader that will be used at the city landfill. City Manager Greg Duggan also recommended purchasing the extended warranty for this piece of equipment. He said it works six days a week in a very harsh environment. Usually he does not recommend purchasing extended warranties, but this was a special case. Council members accepted the bid and purchasing the warranty.

City Finance Officer Annette Melius made a presentation about new software for the city and police department. The software they are currently using is over 20 years old, and the updates for it seem to cause more problems than they solve. The new software will interface better between the police department and the Municipal Court. It is currently in use in several cities in the Panhandle. Melius said she sent out some satisfaction surveys about the software and the respondents said they were pleased with it. Council members voted 7-1 to approve the purchase. The dissenting vote came from a councilman who did not like the fact that the hardware will come from Dell Computers.

In comments from department heads and city workers, Assistant City Manager James Stroud said he has received a permit from the railroad to go under the tracks with the new water pipe.

Courtesy Photo Below: Mayor Kevin Caddell presents out-going Councilwoman Mary Belle Lopez with amarble clock in appreciation for her four years of service on the City Council.